Camping in Blue Ridge Parkway, VA

There’s not a single stoplight on the Blue Ridge Parkway to interrupt your driving reverie, but deer, turkey, and the occasional bear might slow you down. The byway links Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. You won’t find any commercial developments along the nation’s most popular scenic drive, but there are eight campgrounds, all of which accommodate tents and RVs, and provide restrooms, water, and dump stations. If parkway campgrounds (open May through October) are full, descend on a state park or mountain town.

Shenandoah National Park & Rockfish Gap

The parkway begins at Rockfish Gap on Afton Mountain just south of Shenandoah National Park. Explore the new Crozet Tunnel Trail (bring your flashlight), then kick off your drive south. Nearby campgrounds include Loft Mountain Campground in Shenandoah National Park and Sherando Lake Campground  in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest.

Northern Blue Ridge Parkway

The Parkway curves south along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with the Appalachian Trail running alongside it all the way to Roanoke. Scenic overlooks share views of rolling farmlands to the east and the lush Shenandoah Valley to the west. Hiking trails climb to overlooks while side roads lead to charming small towns. Spend the night at Otter Creek Campground or continue south to the campground and lodge at the Peaks of Otter, a high-elevation crossroads.

Southwest Virginia

Anchoring southwest Virginia, Roanoke is a welcoming place for a meal and regional culture. Don’t miss a climb to the Roanoke Star, a neon beacon shining over the Roanoke Valley at night. The Parkway continues south, twisting past wineries, mountain music venues, and a historic mill. Camp at Rocky Knob Campground or a nearby state park.

North Carolina High Country

With dark tunnels, roaring waterfalls, and a lush forest backdrop, the Parkway feels untamed in the high country, a region also known for its Appalachian culture and fun mountain towns, which include Boone and Blowing Rock. Brake for the gorgeous scenery at Linville Falls and Mount Mitchell, which is the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. You’ll find campgrounds at Doughton Park, Julian Price, and Linville Falls. 

Asheville & Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hikers, hippies, and craft beer fans coexist in Asheville, a just-about-perfect mountain town. Camp at the Crabtree Falls Campground or Mount Pisgah Campground along the Parkway or wait until entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park at the end of your scenic journey. There are nine developed campgrounds in the national park. Glamping options, from cabins to tiny houses to yurts, are plentiful in the surrounding mountain foothills.